Programmable display switch

ABSTRACT

A programmable graphical display switch that provides users with a simple way of controlling other devices and for customizing how that control is initiated and communicated to the user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/476,275 (Attorney Docket No. AVION003) entitled “PROGRAMMABLE DISPLAY SWITCH,” and filed on 2012-05-21, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 8,203,437 (Attorney Docket No. AVION002) entitled “PROGRAMMABLE DISPLAY SWITCH,” and filed on 2007-10-11, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/851,231 (Attorney Docket No. AVION001) entitled “PROGRAMMABLE DISPLAY SWITCH,” and filed on 2006-10-12, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an apparatus for controlling and managing the control of devices and communicating the function or device being controlled to the user.

BACKGROUND

In existing switch technologies, the function of the switch is often predetermined and an associated label affixed to the switch that represents its function.

For example , in an aircraft environment, this would amount to hundreds of different part numbers being created, maintained, spared and then certified by the Federal Aviation Administration as safe.

There remains therefore, a need for a programmable switch that is capable of duplicating the functionality of many other switches, while providing sufficient flexibility to convey its purpose to the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the Programmable Display Switch. The first one digits=the figure number and the second two digits indicate the part number.

Item Nomenclature 120 Single Switch Panel 121 Display 122 Display Control and Switch Sensor Circuit 123 Relay{s) 124 Power Supply 125 Control Logic Circuit 126 Audio Feedback 127 Programming Port

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of our invention are as follows. Our programmable display switch (PDS) provides a minimum of one user programmable relay that allows for controlling other devices. The programmable features include but are not limited to latched or momentary operation. If momentary then the duration is also programmable. Our PDS includes a user programmable visual display element such as an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display panel. This display panel is user programmed with different graphics that represent the state of the associated relay. Our PDS allows for graphics displayed on the visual display panel to be changed by the user even after the PDS has been installed into the target application. Further objects and advantages of our invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

The invention, a programmable display switch, provides users with a simple way of controlling other devices and for customizing how that control is initiated.

A display panel is connected to a display controller where the user downloads the desired switch state images. When the user wants to change the state of the switch, they touch the PDS and the switch sensor will detect the touch and change the state of the switch as per the user programming.

For example, if the PDS is being used as a heater control, the ON image may be one of a heater with radiating lines coming from it while the OFF image is one with no lines. If the heater is currently off, the image could be the current OFF state, in which case when the user touched the PDS the image would change to ON and the relay(s) would either open or close or be latched or momentarily change state depending upon the user program and the requirement of the device being controlled. If at some later date the user no longer liked the heater image with lines they could simply load a new image into the PDS without removing it from its currently installed position.

FIG. 1 illustrates the block diagram of the Programmable Display Switch.

A chassis 120 houses a power supply 124, a Display 121, a Display Control and Switch Sensor circuit 122, a control logic circuit 125, one or more relays 123, a programming port 127 and optionally an ambient light sensor 125 and also optionally an audio feedback circuit 126.

The user loads images into a Display Control and Switch Sensor 122 via a programming port 127. The Display Control and Switch Sensor stores the on state and off state images within its memory. While not being touched the Display 121 will show an image that represents its state. Once touched, the Display Control and Switch Sensor will detect the touch and cause the image on the Display 121 to change to its opposite state. Further, the Switch Sensor 122 will command the Control Logic Circuit 125 to change the state of the relay(s) 123 as per the user programming. Power supply 124 provides power to the internal components of the PDS. Ambient light sensor 125 is optional and can adjust the image according to current lighting conditions. Audio Feedback circuit 126 is also optional and can provide the user with audio feedback when the switch is activated.

User programming of the control logic circuit 127 to control the relay(s) 123 can be either latched ON, latched OFF, or momentary. If momentary, then this can further be programmed as to the specific duration.

In some embodiments, the PDS is delivered as a common part number for a switch that can be used in a variety of installations with the image shown on the programmable display and the programmable way of controlling other devices customized for the specific application.

In some embodiments, the invention comprises a switch, comprising: (a) a programmable display, and (b) one or more programmable way of controlling other devices. In some embodiments, the switch is further designed wherein the programmable parameters of the way of controlling other devices can be programmed with the apparatus already installed. In some embodiments, the switch is further designed wherein the programmable display images can be loaded with the switch already installed. 

I/we claim:
 1. A programmable display switch apparatus, comprising: one or more actuators for controlling a circuit, a logic circuit that changes a state of the one or more actuators based on a programmed application of the programmable display switch; a display control circuit that stores a customized image related to the programmed application of the programmable display switch and that commands the logic circuit to change the state of one or more of the actuators based on user input; and a programmable display that is programmable to display the customized image, whereby the programmable display switch can be applied in a variety of installations with images shown on the programmable display and operation of the actuators customized for the specific application of the programmable display switch.
 2. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 1, wherein the programmable display acts as an enunciator display that displays a variable status based on the programmed application of the programmable display switch.
 3. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 2, wherein the programmable display displays a fasten seat belt indication that is either active or not active.
 4. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 2, wherein the programmable display displays a no smoking indication that is either active or not active.
 5. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 2, wherein the programmable display switch receives a variable input and wherein the programmable display provides a metered display for the variable input, wherein the variable input varies along a range or values.
 6. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 5, wherein the programmable display displays a water level indication that varies in graduated increments from empty to full.
 7. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 5, wherein the programmable display displays a temperature indication that varies in graduated increments between a minimum and maximum temperature.
 8. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 1, wherein the programmable display is divided into multiple regions each region having its own programmed application and controlling an independent actuator for carrying out the programmed application based on user input received within a designated region of the programmable display.
 9. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 8, wherein the programmable display is divided into a grid having multiple regions for controlling multiple separate programmed applications.
 10. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 1, wherein the logic circuit includes a variable level output controlled by the programmable display switch based on received user input.
 11. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 10 wherein the variable level output includes a signal for dimming at least one light.
 12. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 10 wherein the variable level output includes a signal for controlling the speed of a motor.
 13. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 10 wherein the variable level output is provided by a pulse width modulated (PWM) output.
 14. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 1 wherein operation of the programmable display switch sets one or more of a comparator threshold, a timer, or an alarm.
 15. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 1 wherein operation of the programmable display switch is dependent on one or more lockout conditions that do not allow the switch state to be changed unless the lockout conditions are satisfied.
 16. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the one or more actuators, logic circuit, display control circuit, and programmable display are located in a separate enclosure from at least one other component.
 17. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 16 wherein one or more programmable displays are located together in a display enclosure and one or more actuators are located together in a separate actuator enclosure.
 18. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the one or more actuators, logic circuit, display control circuit, and programmable display are integrated into a sub-system for performing a function separate from the programmable display switch.
 19. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 1 wherein each actuator is a device selected from the group consisting of a latching relay, a mechanical relay, a solid state switch, a discrete signal, and a signal on a data bus.
 20. The programmable display switch apparatus of claim 1 wherein the programmable display and one or more actuators are mechanically coupled so that when a user presses the display the user is also activating at least one actuator. 